Selby Foundation Names New CEO

November 21, 2022 – Sarasota

The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation’s Board of Directors is proud to announce that Susie Bowie, currently Executive Director of the Manatee Community Foundation, will become its next CEO effective March 1, 2023. As previously announced, Carol Butera, the Foundation’s current CEO, will retire in April 2023.

Board Chair and lead in the search effort, Barbara Zdravecky, noted “Susie’s demonstrated leadership in the local Foundation arena compliments the values of our founders, Bill and Marie Selby. The attributes of humility, collaboration, stewardship, innovation and social responsibility match well with her style and accomplishments.”

Butera added that she has worked closely and collaboratively with Bowie for many years. She added “Bowie’s deep experience in working with our region’s nonprofits and developing grants and scholarship programs will be a huge asset for our Foundation.”

Bowie looks forward to this new challenge: “I have been privileged to spend the past 17 years in philanthropy at community foundations, immersed in the work of supporting donor aspirations, building strong nonprofits, and bringing people together to contribute their lived experiences to address the challenges of our time. For me, leading this work has been a function of recognizing the strength and leadership of others, understanding the gifts every community member brings to their rightful seat at the table. It will be a true honor to continue this work in service of the legacy of two extraordinary philanthropists—Bill and Marie Selby—focusing on students as the promise of our future and on the vitality of the charitable organizations in our four-county area.”
Bowie has served as Executive Director of the Manatee Community Foundation (MCF) since April 2016 where she has led all aspects of MCF under the direction of a board of directors.

Her accomplishments include among others:

● Growing MCF assets and philanthropic funds to award increased grants andscholarships each year.

● Transforming the organizational culture to better serve the community through anintentional focus on access and inclusion

● Increasing community leadership through regular nonprofit trainings, communityeducation events, collaborations and initiatives

● Developing essential partnerships with local community foundations and privatefoundations to leverage resources, knowledge and support for nonprofits

● Collaborating with local partners to start a new Local College Access Network forManatee County with the goal of 60% of adults achieving post-secondary attainment by2030

Prior to leading MCF, Bowie was Vice President of Philanthropic Education and Marketing at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County where she designed and led the first Giving Challenge events in this region. She is a 1998 graduate of the University of Florida and holds certificates in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace (2021) and Nonprofit Management from the University of South Florida (2007). In 2021 Bowie was recognized by the Multicultural Health Institute with their MHI Philanthropic Champion Award. She is a Hull Fellow of the Southeast Council on Foundations and a 2019 graduate of Leadership Florida.

The Selby Foundation is a private foundation founded by William G. and Marie Selby in 1955. The Foundation supports Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties through capital grants and scholarships. Since its establishment, the Selby Foundation has provided more than $120 million to the community. For more information on the Foundation’s grant and scholarship application process, including its Small and Mighty Grants program, visit www.selbyfdn.org.